Tagging, Tracking Nurses Improves Workflow

Looking at the data in aggregate has been helpful, too. For instance, although one very long unit had two nursing stations, the data showed that nurses tended to congregate at and use the front station more often. So when it was time to build a new unit, the hospital built the front nursing station bigger than the one in the back.

The program has also helped improve hourly rounding.

"We could actually track whether or not this is happening," says Simmons. "It's not just about going in there every hour. It's about the intentionality behind it, and how much time you're spending."

"Each time that they round they're spending at least 2 to 4 minutes each time," says Simmons. "It's not just a quick poke your head in."

The data has also led to changes in workflow. For instance, the data showed that patient care techs always took dirty pumps to the clean sterile area around 6:00 am, which is one of busiest times for the nurses. However, the data also showed that the techs had a lot downtime between 1:00 am and 3:00 am.